Inaugural Freely Fest in Nashville to Feature The Killers, T-Pain, and More

The non-profit Freedom Forum is hosting the music festival celebrating the First Amendment.

Jan. 30, 2026 at 11:07am

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The non-partisan nonprofit organization Freedom Forum has unveiled the lineup for its inaugural 'Freely Fest', taking place on April 8th at Nashville's Bridgestone Arena, and streaming live globally. The Killers, T-Pain, Dominic Fike, Janelle Monáe, and Avery Anna are all featured on the lineup for the festival, which celebrates the 'power of music and our First Amendment freedoms.'

Why it matters

The event aims to make the First Amendment relevant by connecting it to popular culture, using music as a universal language for expression. Freedom Forum has spent more than three decades working toward the organization's vision of an America where everyone knows, values, and defends religion, speech, press, assembly, and petition.

The details

Freely Fest will blend performances with artist stories and interactive experiences to highlight free speech. Freedom Forum Chair and CEO Jan Neuharth said the festival 'will shine a light on freedom of speech — a foundational right that belongs to us all and fuels the free expression that shapes our culture.'

  • Freely Fest will take place on April 8, 2026.
  • Freedom Forum has worked for more than three decades on its mission.

The players

Freedom Forum

A non-partisan nonprofit organization that has spent more than three decades working toward the vision of an America where everyone knows, values, and defends religion, speech, press, assembly, and petition.

Jan Neuharth

The Chair and CEO of the Freedom Forum.

The Killers

An American rock band that is performing at the inaugural Freely Fest.

T-Pain

An American rapper and singer-songwriter who is performing at the inaugural Freely Fest.

Dominic Fike

An American singer-songwriter who is performing at the inaugural Freely Fest.

Janelle Monáe

An American singer, songwriter, actress, and producer who is performing at the inaugural Freely Fest.

Avery Anna

An American singer-songwriter who is performing at the inaugural Freely Fest.

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What they’re saying

“Freely Fest will shine a light on freedom of speech — a foundational right that belongs to us all and fuels the free expression that shapes our culture. Music tells the story of America. Every generation has its defining anthems. Melodies that bring us to our feet or move us to tears. Lyrics that capture moments of joy or reflect times of sorrow. Songs that have sparked change and fueled movements. All powered by the First Amendment.”

— Jan Neuharth, Chair and CEO, Freedom Forum

What’s next

Tickets for Freely Fest are available at FreelyFest.org.

The takeaway

Freely Fest aims to make the First Amendment relevant to modern audiences by using music as a universal language for expression and highlighting the role of free speech in shaping American culture.